Hikers, are you up for a challenge?

Hikers on a Bernardo Mountain trail, one of five trails included in the inaugural Coast to Crest Trail Challenge, which started July 1 and concludes on June 30, 2018.

Hikers on a Bernardo Mountain trail, one of five trails included in the inaugural Coast to Crest Trail Challenge, which started July 1 and concludes on June 30, 2018. (James Coffee)

Elizabeth Marie Himchak

Love nature and hiking local trails? Then the inaugural Coast to Crest Trail Challenge is for you.

The challenge is to hike five trails in the San Dieguito River Park by June 30, 2018. After submitting a selfie taken at each designated photo spot, participants will receive a reward. An extra prize is offered to the first 50 who complete the challenge posed by the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy.

“We offered the most interesting hikes with the best views,” said Jess Norton, SDRVC’s conservation manager.

The five trails include one in Rancho Bernardo — Bernardo Mountain, which overlooks Lake Hodges. The others are Clevenger Canyon South in San Pasqual, Del Dios Gorge in Rancho Santa Fe, San Dieguito Lagoon in Del Mar and Volcan Mountain in Julian. Details about each hike are below.

Those who successfully complete the challenge that began Saturday will receive a certificate and decal, a 20 percent off coupon from REI, $10 in Adventure Bucks from Adventure 16 “plus bragging rights for accomplishing five cool outdoor adventures,” according to organizers.

The first 50 who complete the challenge and submit their photos for verification will also receive a SDRVC cooling towel.

Photos shared on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtag #C2CChallenge might also get highlighted by the conservancy.

Trail maps are available at REI — 5556 Copley Drive in Kearny Mesa and 1590 Leucadia Blvd. in Encinitas — and Adventure 16, 143 S. Cedros Ave. in Solana Beach. More information is also at sdrvc.org/C2CChallenge.html.

Norton said she was inspired to launch the Coast to Crest Trail Challenge after learning about the Mission Trails’ 5-Peak Challenge.

To help people complete the challenge, the conservancy is offering at least one free guided hike per trail, though based on initial response to the offer more could be added to the schedule, said SDRVC Executive Director Trish Boaz.

“Volcan sold out in the first three days, so we’ll open a second ... due to popular demand,” Boaz said, adding all the other guided hikes are near full — even those scheduled for next year — so she advises those interested to reserve their spots quickly. She said high interest in hiking Volcan Mountain was also likely due to it being named one of the 10 best hikes in the county.

While challenge participants do not need to go on a guided hike, Boaz said they are “an opportunity to join people who are knowledgeable and can let them know about the biodiversity of the plants and animals at the locations.”

Boaz said all the hikes are likely doable for ages 12 and up, ranging from easy to strenuous, but people need to take safety precautions.

Norton said she advises hikers to start out early in the morning, especially in the summer before the temperature gets too hot. Also, hike with a buddy and be aware of rattlesnakes.

“In terms of safety, the number one concern is ... having enough water,” Boaz added. She said at a minimum people should bring with them 20 ounces (2.5 cups) of water per mile they plan to hike.

“Have fun,” Boaz added, saying the river park’s Coast to Crest Trail — spanning a 70 mile stretch between Del Mar to Julian — “should not be the best kept secret in San Diego.”

The challenge’s trails are:

♦ The Volcan Mountain trail’s free guided hike on July 8 is sold-out, but another will be scheduled, Boaz said.

The Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve in Julian features a 5.4-mile round-trip trail (gateway to summit) that is rated moderately strenuous while climbing from an altitude of 4,100 feet (parking area on Farmer Road) to 5,353 feet (summit). It is only open to hiking and dogs are allowed on leash. The selfie spot is the scope at the summit.

Per the SDRVC, “The Volcan Mountain ridge is iconic as both the headwaters of the San Dieguito River and the highest point in the River Park (5,300 feet at the summit). Ironside Spring feeds Santa Ysabel Creek, which meets Santa Maria Creek in San Pasqual Valley to become the San Dieguito River.

“The Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve is home to mixed conifer, oak and cedar forest, native grassland and seasonal ponds. The summit features sweeping views of Earthquake Valley and the Salton Sea to the east, and on a clear day, all the way to the ocean to the west.

“Just as striking as the views from the summit is the beautiful Hubbell Gateway at the beginning of the trail.”

♦ The San Dieguito Lagoon trail’s guided hike will be on Sept. 23.

The trailhead is at the San Andres kiosk in Del Mar. The selfie spot is the Old Grand Avenue Overlook Bridge. It is a 2.76-mile round-trip that is rated “easy,” is open to hiking and biking, and dogs are allowed on leash.

Per the SDRVC, “the intertidal marsh habitat at the San Dieguito Lagoon is among the most rare and threatened habitat in California. Starting in fall 2006, an ambitious restoration project created 115 acres of wetlands in addition to the traditional coastal sage scrub habitat.

“The Lagoon is a popular spot for birdwatchers as it provides habitat for a number of endangered species. It’s also a popular stopping point for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway.”

♦ The Del Dios Gorge trail’s guided hike will be on Nov. 11.

The trailhead is the Santa Fe Valley staging area off Del Dios Highway near Calle Ambiente in Rancho Santa Fe. It is a 4.54-mile round-trip that is rated “moderate,” is open to hiking and biking, and dogs are allowed on leash. The selfie spot is the Rattlesnake Viewpoint.

Per the SDRVC, the viewpoint gets its name “from the shape the viewpoint bench — built from native rock — forms. Just as striking as Del Dios Gorge’s beauty is its archaeological significance. The area is home to the C.W. Harris Site Archaeological District, which has artifacts going back 9,000 years, to San Diego County’s earliest inhabitants.

“The Lake Hodges Dam controls the river’s flow through the Gorge. The natural landscape is made up of both riparian vegetation and coast live oak. ... (Also viewable is) the historic Hodges Flume, which transported water from Lake Hodges to the San Dieguito Reservoir until 2003. Although the water is transported by gravity, an optical illusion makes it look like the water is traveling uphill.”

♦ The Bernardo Mountain trail’s guided hike will be on Jan. 20.

The summit trail portion is a 3.9-mile round-trip, which is rated “strenuous.” The total hike mileage depends on the starting point, including a few spots in Rancho Bernardo such as near the David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge. It is open to hiking and biking. Dogs on leash are allowed, but not within 50 feet of the lake shore. The selfie spot is Bernardo Summit, with the photo taken so that Lake Hodges is in the background.

Per the SDRVC, “Bernardo Mountain rises 1,100 feet on the north side of Lake Hodges. Its hillsides and areas around the base are full of coastal sage scrub and prickly pear cacti, providing habitat for the California gnatcatcher and coastal cactus wren. The summit offers breathtaking panoramic views where golden eagles once nested.”

♦ Clevenger Canyon South trail’s guided hike will be on Feb. 24.

The southern trailhead is around 5 miles from San Diego Zoo Safari Park in San Pasqual. There are two options. The east fork is a 4.4-mile round-trip with the selfie spot being the wire-mesh chairs bolted to a boulder. There are two summits, at 1,755 feet and 1,635 feet, providing views of Boden Canyon, Palomar Mountain, Volcan Mountain and the Laguna Mountains. The west fork is a 2.8-mile round-trip with the selfie spot being the “end of trail” sign. It has a 1,550-foot summit and “sweeping” views of San Pasqual Valley. Both options are rated “strenuous,” open to hikers only and dogs are allowed on leash.

Per the SDRVC, “the South Trail traverses hillsides full of low-lying coastal sage scrub and taller, denser southern mixed chaparral. Wildflowers emerge in the spring, coloring the hillsides with lilacs and other blooms.”